Hiking up and down the hills of Butano State Park led to lots of different climates in a short distance. This particularly misty section was beautiful and thick with a green covering on the floor of the forest.

Climbing around on rocks is the thing to do in Sedona. The timing for this hike was perfect for me to get the sun right in the middle of Cathedral Rock. The bright light was a perfect path to follow to our destination.

The hike up to the saddle of Cathedral Rock isn’t far, but it is way up above where you start. The vantage point isn’t expected until you pop out at the top, and get a nice look at the rock on each side of you and the view down below.

What’s a Talus Cave? Am I making up a whole new type of cave for my enjoyment? No, I am not. This is a unique cave made by boulders falling into a deep canyon, leaving an open space below. People walk through this cave, and under boulders hanging above your head, for fun. Also bats live in these caves. Good times.

Rocky Mountain National Park earned its name on Fern Lake Trail, with lots of rough rocks every way that you look. We started our hike at Bear Lake, and after some good climbing the view opened up into this gorge with mountain peaks in all directions.

One thing I love about the San Francisco Bay Area is the diversity of the surroundings. You can look to the east and see the rolling brown hills, look to the west and see green and trees. In the early morning there is often a layer of clouds that quickly burn off for a day of blue skies. This one spot seemed have all of those different environments at the same time.

As you hike through these hills along the Pacific there are lots of ups and downs. This is one of the steeper ravines that you cross, known as Pirates Cove. The pirates seem to like this place and so do I!